Thursday, September 03, 2009

The Joy of Learning.

I'm glad some of you are having to wipe sticky lemon bars from around yourmouths!

The joy of learning never deminishes for me - I thrive on it. I want to Thank Chookyblue for information that has helped me update what I was doing with photos on this blog. I also found she has photos on another shared site which are beautiful , have a look.

These are some of the fabric pages I am making for a larger picture book for the Ruel Foundation. I cut them all the same size then sewed 2 side by side. When 4 were sewn I laid them right sides together and sewed around the edges leaving a couple of inches to pull them through to the right side. I then top stitched as close to the edge as possible closing the turn through gap at the same time. Then pressed. I will then sew the double pages together down the spine. These should be really servicable and totally washable. ( many of the children are babies and toddlers )

Now some orchard content. The sap is rising in the Kiwifruit vines ( Springtime ). I am going around removing all the old fruit stalks and broken plastic clips from the tied in canes. ( very boring neck aching job! )

This is a stump graft. The old vine had a problem, so rather than pull it out 2 new canes with growing spots ( buds ) has been firmly inserted in the old trunk and water proofed ( bandaged ) till it starts to grow/ sprout from these small pieces of wood. It will grow quickly as it has a fully developed root system already.This is a normal graft. A new rootstock plant was grown for 2 years then wood with 2 growing buds, from an older vine was grafted in and taped / bandaged up. The tape will be removed when the graft has taken ( joined ). I will show progess photos of this as it happens, over the next few months..

4 comments:

So interesting about the grafts. I had a grandmother who was so knowledgable about grafts, & how to get them to grow. I also had the priveledge of seeing a fruit tree with 6 different fruits grafted into it. A bit like blended families!I too,never tire of learning.However, learning some things proves so anger inducing... I want to give up!!

About Me

Quilting is a wonderful hobby for me. I love the beautiful fabric and colours - my artistic side comes alive.
I have lived in Te Puna near Tauranga since 1978, where my husband ( R ) and I own a small orchard where we grow Kiwifruit and Avocados for export. We have a large garden and grow many other fruit, nuts and vegetables. When I was young I was a teacher and particularly liked teaching art. I have also worked in the Kiwifruit Industry in Quality Control and Auditing. I love to create and am currently passionate about patchwork and quilting. I sew by hand and using my Bernina Aurora 440 machine.
* All photos enlarge by clicking. * PLEASE do not use my photos or words without my permission.